The largest meteorite known to have hit Earth is the Hoba meteorite in Namibia. It is estimated to weigh about 66 tons, making it the largest single meteorite discovered on Earth’s surface. The Hoba meteorite is composed mostly of iron and nickel, with traces of other elements. It is believed to have fallen to Earth about 80,000 years ago. Despite its size, the Hoba meteorite did not create a large impact crater because of its low angle of entry and relatively low speed. Today, the Hoba meteorite is a popular tourist attraction and is protected as a national monument in Namibia.
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The Hoba meteorite is an extraordinary example of a meteorite impact that occurred in prehistoric times. It was discovered in 1920, protruding from the ground where it had landed in what is now Namibia, Africa. The meteorite is estimated to be around 66 tons, making it the largest single meteorite known on Earth.
Composed primarily of iron (about 84%) and nickel (approximately 16%), with trace amounts of other elements, the Hoba meteorite is classified as an ataxite, a rare type of iron meteorite with a high nickel content. This composition is typical of meteorites that originated from the cores of asteroids.
What makes the Hoba meteorite particularly remarkable is its lack of an impact crater. This is due to its relatively low speed and shallow angle of entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Instead of creating a crater, the meteorite simply buried itself in the ground, where it was later found.
The Hoba meteorite is estimated to have fallen to Earth around 80,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch. It is named after the farm on which it was found, and today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Namibia. The site has been protected as a national monument, and efforts have been made to preserve the meteorite for future generations to study and admire.